When she was thirteen, a school excursion to see a touring production of The Phantom of the Opera opened her eyes to the world of musical theatre. As soon as the chandelier lit up and rose to the ceiling, she was completely spellbound. That moment sparked a lifelong appreciation for the arts, further enhanced through fine arts and drama training in high school and CEGEP. Courtney also co-teaches a bilingual Teen Theatre Appreciation and Criticism class at the Ottawa School of Theatre. Originally from Montreal, she now lives in the Ottawa, Canada, area and enjoys attending local professional and community theatre shows, and tries to get to New York and Toronto to see shows whenever she can.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Courtney Castelino
First Show:
The Phantom of the OperaFavorite Show:
HamiltonFavorite Stories:
- Review: HAMILTON at Ottawa's National Arts Centre - When Hamilton first came onto the scene, I wasn't very excited, as I have never been a fan of rap music and, being Canadian, I figured that the storyline would hold little interest for me. When I listened to the original cast recording, I quickly realized that Hamilton was more than just American history set to rap music. The music is a complex fusion of many different genres and the story holds much deeper meaning. After seeing Hamilton on stage, it overtook Phantom as my all-time favourite show (although Phantom still holds a dear place in my heart as my first musical).
- BWW Review: Orpheus' Production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe -
- Review: PRISON DANCER THE MUSICAL at Ottawa's National Arts Centre -
- Review: Orpheus Musical Theatre's NEWSIES at Meridian Theatres at Centrepoint -
- Review: COME FROM AWAY at Ottawa's National Arts Centre -
MOST POPULAR ARTICLES
April 25, 2026
What did our critic think of PROCESSION at National Arts Centre?
April 12, 2026
What did our critic think of DINO-LIGHT at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe?
April 12, 2026
What did our critic think of CICADAS at National Arts Centre?
April 12, 2026
What did our critic think of STEPHANIE LAKE COMPANY'S MANIFESTO at National Arts Centre?
April 6, 2026
Meridian Theatres @Centrepointe is bringing Lightwire Theater’s DINO-LIGHT to Ottawa audiences this weekend. DINO-LIGHT is described as a glow-in-the-dark adventure that is largely geared towards families but is suitable for audiences of all ages.
April 3, 2026
Ottawa Little Theatre’s presentation of Kimberly Akimbo, written by David Lindsay-Abaire, is a fun, quirky, and deeply human play about growing up amid unusual challenges. Set deep in the suburbs of New Jersey, we meet Kimberly (Sharon Bernbaum), a teenager navigating high school, family chaos, and a first crush while carrying more responsibility than anyone her age should, thanks to a rare disease and a dysfunctional family.
April 1, 2026
Ottawa Little Theatre’s presentation of Kimberly Akimbo kicks off tonight. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo tells the story of a teenager battling a rare disease that makes her age five times faster than the average person, while trying to navigate life with a hypochondriac mother, an alcoholic father and all the trials and tribulations of high school.
March 29, 2026
What did our critic think of ROSE at National Arts Centre?
March 27, 2026
Kanata Theatre’s newest production, The Watsons, hits all the right buttons. A talented cast, great direction from Val Bogan, and an excellent script by Laura Wade make for a truly delightful night that is well worth the drive to the Ron Maslin Playhouse in Kanata.
March 26, 2026
What did our critic think of & JULIET at National Arts Centre?
March 21, 2026
What did our critic think of LITTLE WOMEN at Kailash Mital Theatre?
March 13, 2026
What did our critic think of THIS THREE SISTERS THEATRE COMPANY'S BLOOD RELATIONS at The Gladstone Theatre?
March 13, 2026
What did our critic think of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe?
March 7, 2026
What did our critic think of THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD at Ottawa Little Theatre?
March 1, 2026
What did our critic think of AFTER THE RAIN at National Arts Centre?
February 28, 2026
What did our critic think of THE NAC’S PRESENTATION OF THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK at National Arts Centre?
February 2, 2026
Alavi gives insight into Sound, a highly autobiographical play that fuses personal and political storytelling.
January 25, 2026
This week, Sock ‘n’ Buskin presented a limited engagement of Tom Stoppard's comedy-meets-existential-crisis, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,
January 16, 2026
What did our critic think of COPPERBELT at National Arts Centre?
January 7, 2026
Broadway Across Canada’s presentation of Clue Live on Stage! rolled into Ottawa’s National Arts Centre last night. The show, written by Jonathan Lynn, is based on the 1985 film, Clue (also written by Lynn), which was itself based on the popular Hasbro board game.
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